MICA: Stomasense: A New Route to the Proactive Detection and Management of Leaks within Ostomy Pouches

造口的创建是一种侵入性外科手术，需要显著的身体和心理适应，特别是当肠/膀胱内容物被收集在粘附在腹部的一次性袋中时。泄漏，特别是在公共场合，是一个持续的担忧，导致社会交往减少，焦虑和抑郁增加，并可能对家庭和工作生活产生巨大影响。造口生活研究（2015年）证实了这一问题的严重程度，该研究调查了来自11个不同国家的约4000名造口者，发现大多数（91%）参与者报告说，袋泄漏是一个问题，69%的人确认这是他们的主要担忧，并极大地影响了他们的生活质量。 该项目旨在开发和改进一种智能设备，该设备可以与现有的造口袋系统一起工作，对即将发生的泄漏提供预警警报，从而可以在粘合剂法兰失效之前更换设备。这可以显著改善造口管理，提高患者信心，并最大限度地减少可能伴随泄漏事件的痛苦。研究小组已经开发出一种原型传感器，可用于任何袋系统，并将提供一个离散的警报振动的病人。该团队的目标是扩展该设备的功能，使其包含无线通信，从而可以直接向护理人员或护理站发送警报。该团队已经在试点研究中证明了该系统基本操作的原理，并寻求优化它以供造口者日常使用。

The creation of a stoma is an invasive surgical procedure that requires significant physical and psychological adaptation particularly as bowel/bladder content is collected in a disposable pouch that adheres to the abdomen. Leakage, especially in public, is a constant worry resulting in decreased social interactions, increased anxiety and depression and can have a tremendous impact on family and work life. The extent of the problem was confirmed by the Ostomy Life Study (2015) which surveyed some 4000 ostomates from 11 different countries and found the majority (91%) of participants reported that leakage of the pouch was a concern with 69% confirming that it was their prime worry and greatly impacted on their quality of life. The project seeks to develop and refine a smart device which can work alongside existing stoma pouch systems, providing an early warning alert to impending leaks that could enable the replacement of the appliance before failure of the adhesive flange. This could significantly improve ostomy management, improve patient confidence and minimise the distress that can accompany leak events. The research team have developed a prototype sensor which can be used with any pouch system and which will provide a discrete alert vibration the patient. The team aim to expand the capabilities of the device to incorporate wireless communications such that an alert can be sent directly to a carer or a nursing station. The team have demonstrated proof of principle for the basic operation of the system in a pilot study and seek to optimise it for everyday use by ostomates.